Why foster an animal?

If you can only open your home on a temporary basis, fostering an animal is a great way to rescue an animal in need

Every animal that you foster is given a second chance at life – and the more you foster, the more lives you can help save

All SPCA foster parents receive support from our foster department

We supply all food, bedding, toys and everything else to make the animals comfortable while staying in your home

What you need to help?

Time – on average an animal will be staying with you between 3-6 weeks but this can differ depending on the animal you foster

Spare room (required for cats but also useful for dogs) – a safe and secure space away from other animals which could be a spare room, bathroom or laundry.

Consent from your landlord - if you don’t own your home.

Care – some animals will require medication throughout their stay (training on how to medicate an animal is provided)

Transport – you will need your own transport 24/7 to bring foster animals to and from the centre or to an after-hours vet should your foster animal need emergency veterinary treatment in the middle of the night. Some animals might need more than one visit (this is not required for large farm animals as we can help with transport to the foster home)

Your love and patience

Special notes for dog and small animal foster parents:

Our dog foster parents ideally should have experience with handling dogs, and need to be at home for at least part of the day; this is because many of the dogs and puppies that are needing foster require feeding at lunchtime, socialisation and special training as many have never experienced a real home environment before.

Our small animal foster parents will need to provide their own suitable accommodation for their foster animals, such as a large hutch, playpen or spare room.

What does fostering involve?

Every animal has different needs, but a typical foster experience might include:

Filling out our application form and a quick follow-up phone interview with our foster team

Property check by one of our Dog Team Leader (dogs only)

Pick up your foster animal and required supplies. We’ll give you food, bedding, toys, medicine and anything else it needs – some animals may also need a follow-up vet appointment

For dog fosterers we also do a meet and greet with your resident dogs to ensure they are compatible with your potential foster dog

Give your foster animal your love, care and patience, and introduce them to a real home life experience, rules and boundaries

Complete daily monitoring records

Return the animal back to the SPCA centre when they have recovered.

​Foster FAQs

Which animals need foster care?

Mothers with a litter of kittens

Orphaned kittens or puppies who are able to feed themselves, but are not yet old enough to be desexed and adopted out

Sick or injured animals that are under the care of SPCA’s vets, but need the nurturing environment of a home

Teenage dogs that need training and to know what a home is.

Can I foster if I have my own animals?

Yes, we welcome pet owners as foster volunteers. Please keep in mind there is always a health risk when exposing your pets to other animals, in any setting. So we ask that your own animals be fully vaccinated.

Can I foster if I have a full-time job?

It depends on the flexibility of your job and your schedule, and the animal you would like to foster. If you work full-time you could, for example look after a mother cat with a litter of kittens or, in some cases, an animal that needs medical rehabilitation. It is, however important that you are able to accommodate urgent vet visits in your schedule if a foster animal is seriously ill and needs to be seen by a vet right away.

How much time do I need to spend with my foster animals?

As much time as you possibly can. The more time you spend with your foster animals, the more you will help with their socialisation. You’ll also be able to spot signs that your animals are not feeling well, which in kittens and puppies this young could be critical. Besides, it’s a lot of fun to play with your animals!

How long do animals stay in foster care?

The typical foster stay is between two weeks to a couple of months, depending on the need of the individual animal.

What expenses are involved with foster care?

Foster families are provided with all the food, bedding, equipment (such as litter trays) and medical expenses are covered for the animals in their care.

Share this

URL Copied!

Volunteer application

For: Foster parent

Thank you for your interest in fostering an animal from SPCA. Foster families are vital to the work of SPCA, and we simply couldn't help the huge number of animals we do without foster families, who provide love and care for animals in their own homes every year.

Please fill out this form as completely as you are able. If you need assistance, please call the team at your local SPCA Centre.

Thank you for your interest in fostering an animal from SPCA. Foster families are vital to the work of SPCA, and we simply couldn't help the huge number of animals we do without foster families, who provide love and care for animals in their own homes every year.

Please fill out this form as completely as you are able. If you need assistance, please call the team at your local SPCA Centre.

I would like to volunteer with

Fostering dogs

Fostering other animals

Position#*

Centre#*

Personal details

Title

First name*

Last name*

Address*

Number and street name*

Suburb*

City*

Postcode*

Country*

Landline

Mobile phone

Email address*

Date of birth (Please note: You will need to be 18 years or over to foster an animal.) *

What is your NZ Residency Status?*

If other Residency status, please state

Your emergency contact

Emergency contact name*

Relationship to you*

Mobile phone of emergency contact*

Other phone number of emergency contact

Have you previously worked or volunteered at an SPCA Centre?*

Yes*

No*

If yes, please provide details

Fostering preferences

What time frame could you commit to fostering an individual dog?*

What kind of dogs would you like to foster?*

Your household

How many people live in your household?*

Do all household members consent to you fostering a dog?*

Yes*

No*

Please provide ages of any children under 18

Your home situation

What best describes your current living situation?*

If other, please state

Landlord's name (If renting you require your landlord's permission.)

Landlord's phone number

Please describe the current pets in your household (If you already have an existing dog, we recommend you bring them to the centre to meet the foster dog.)*

If you currently have a dog(s), are they well socialised with other animals?

Planning for a dog in your household

What is your main reason for fostering a dog?*

On a typical work day, how long might your foster dog be home alone?*

How will the foster dog be contained when you are not at home?*

Please describe your fencing (incl height & material)*

Do you have a current drivers' licence?*

Yes*

No*

Driver's licence number

Your experience with dogs

Have you owned a dog before?*

Yes*

No*

If yes, what breeds and how long ago?

How would you describe your dog handling experience?*

Are you aware of your Council by-laws in relation to dogs?*

Yes*

No*

Have your ever been disqualified from owning a dog or classified probationary by a territorial authority?*

Yes*

No*

Medical and criminal history

Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense or are awaiting the hearing of charges in a civil or criminal court of law?*

Yes*

No*

Unsure*

Please explain if 'yes' or 'unsure'

Are you happy for us to proceed with a criminal check if required?*

Yes*

No*

Do you have any medical conditions? (If you have any ongoing medical conditions that may be aggrevated by a volunteer role at SPCA, or working with animals, please let us know. This includes but isn't limited to physical ailments (limiting heavy lifting), allergies to animals, chemicals or environment, stress related, Occupational Overuse Syndrome.)*

Yes*

No*

Unsure*

Please explain if 'yes' or 'unsure'

Declaration

I declare that to the best of my knowledge the information provided in this application and in any resume enclosed is accurate and I understand that if any false or misleading information is given, or any material fact suppressed, I will not be engaged, or if I am engaged, my volunteer role will be terminated. I understand that any offer of a volunteer engagement, if made, is conditional upon satisfactory confirmation from the New Zealand Police of any criminal record if requested. *

Personal details

Date of birth (Please note: You will need to be 18 years or over to foster an animal.)

What is your NZ Residency Status?*

If other Residency status, please state

Have you previously worked or volunteered at an SPCA Centre?*

Yes*

No*

If yes, please provide details

Your emergency contact

Emergency contact name*

Relationship to you*

Mobile phone of emergency contact*

Other phone number of emergency contact

What animals would you like to foster?

Cats and kittens

Litters of kittens

Adult cat with kittens

Adult cats

Small animals

Rabbits

Guinea Pigs

Farms animals

Horses

Goats

Other

What pets do you have at home?

Do you have cats at home?*

Yes*

No*

If yes, are ALL cats vaccinated?

Yes

No

If yes, are ALL cats desexed?

Yes

No

How many cats do you have? (If you don't have any cats, please enter '0')*

Do you have dogs at home?*

Yes*

No*

If yes, are ALL dogs vaccinated?

Yes

No

If yes, are ALL dogs desexed?

Yes

No

How many dogs do you have? (If you don't have any dogs, please enter '0')*

What other pets do you own?*

No other animals

Rabbits, rat or guinea pig

Farm animals (horse, goat, etc)

Other (please elaborate)

Details on other pets (Please supply details of your other pets, such as breed, ages, vaccination status, etc)

Your experience with animals

Please indicate your level of experience with animals (Please provide details such as ownership, current pets and any specific skills or qualifications you may have)*

Your home situation

Are you currently renting?*

Yes*

No*

If yes, do you have your landlord's permission to keep animals?

Yes

No

Do all household members consent to you fostering animals?*

Yes*

No*

Do you have children at home?*

Yes*

No*

If so, what are the children's ages?

How many hours a day are you away from home?*

Where will the foster animal(s) be kept?*

Laundry

Spare bedroom

Spare bathroom

Garage

Other

If other, please specify

Do you have a current drivers' licence?*

Yes*

No*

Driver's licence number

Medical and criminal history

Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense or are awaiting the hearing of charges in a civil or criminal court of law?*

Yes*

No*

Unsure*

Please explain if 'yes' or 'unsure'

Have your ever been disqualified from owning an animal or classified probationary by a territorial authority?*

Yes*

No*

Are you happy for us to proceed with a criminal check if required?*

Yes*

No*

Do you have any medical conditions? (If you have any ongoing medical conditions that may be aggrevated by fostering for the SPCA, or working with animals, please let us know. This includes but isn't limited to physical ailments, allergies to animals, chemicals or environment, stress related, Occupational Overuse Syndrome.)*

Yes*

No*

Unsure*

Please explain if 'yes' or 'unsure'

Declaration

I declare that to the best of my knowledge the information provided in this application and in any resume enclosed is accurate and I understand that if any false or misleading information is given, or any material fact suppressed, I will not be engaged, or if I am engaged, my volunteer role will be terminated. I understand that any offer of a volunteer engagement, if made, is conditional upon satisfactory confirmation from the New Zealand Police of any criminal record if requested. *